Adiantum pedatum 3qt (Maidenhair Fern)

The delicate, bright green leaflets of Maidenhair Ferns flutter gently in the breeze. The play of sunlight and shadows on their thin, translucent foliage creates a magical effect in the landscape. The pinnae are arranged horizontally in a fan-shape or like the outstretched fingers of a hand, quite unique among our native ferns! Though this plant appears graceful and delicate, it is fairly easy to grow in the right conditions. It prefers even moisture, never drying out lest it go dormant until adequate moisture returns. The shallow, wiry rhizomes will spread and knit together to form a dense groundcover in damp, dappled shade. Maidenhair Ferns grow well in Northern exposures, on wet cliffs, in sheltered valleys, and in deep shady sites.

The light, airy texture of Maidenhair Ferns look striking with bold-textured woodland plants. Over time, they can naturalize in a moist woodland garden and provide a finely textured backdrop to wildflowers. They may also be used singly as an accent or shady border planting, spreading much slower in less favorable conditions.

Sources:
Native Ferns, Moss, & Grasses by William Cullina
Growing and Propagating Wild Flowers by Harry R. Phillips
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Steven Foster and James A. Duke
Missouri Botanical Garden
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterIllinois Wildflowers